Now, it's remarkable to think that,
some 500 years later, these iconic

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panes have survived, largely intact.

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And provide a kaleidoscope
of colour,

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and a captivating history, very much
like the Cotswolds landscape itself.

0:01:28

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The Cotswolds is a range of hills
in the south-west of England,

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lying between Oxford and Bristol
and covering 790 square miles.

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It's a designated Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty,

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which dominates most
of Gloucestershire,

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but also spills into Oxfordshire,
as well as four other counties.

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The area abounds with gentle
rolling hills and farmland,

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dissected by hedges and trees,
with livestock hugging hillsides,

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and wild flowers providing bursts of
colour, breaking up the vivid green.

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Local limestone supplies the
honey-coloured stone that gives

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the Cotswolds its unique look.

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This delightful area attracts an
estimated 38 million tourists a year

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from around the globe, and less
than two hours from London and

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close to Oxford, the Cotswolds is
a popular choice for people choosing

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to escape city life, whether
permanently or as a weekend retreat.

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So what exactly are
today's buyers after?

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Well, let's meet them and find out.

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French teacher Charles and his
wife Sue, from Hemel Hempstead in

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Hertfordshire, have had a blissfully
happy union for ten years.

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We met in 2004, it was at a
school ball, my eyes met on Sue,

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and the next morning I
woke up and I thought,

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"That's my little
present from God."

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We got married in 2010, we got
married in the school chapel

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and we went on honeymoon to
the Cotswolds, which is where

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we're hoping to move to.

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The Gloucestershire Cotswolds is
very close to both their hearts.

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When we first met, Sue was
actually living in the Cotswolds,

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so she's got a very strong
attachment to it, and I used

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to go visit her there, obviously,
as often as I possibly could

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and I feel a very
strong affinity to it.

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Sue and Charles live in a flat
in the boarding school where

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Charles works in Hemel Hempstead,
which couldn't be more different

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to the area of their dreams.

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It's large and sprawling
and very populated,

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and I just can't wait to get
back to more rural living.

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We want to have a place where
we can have Sue's daughters,

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my stepchildren, to stay, where we
can invite guests to come for

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the weekend and where we're a bit
further away from London, as well.

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It's not just family and friends
who are important in this move.

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Two-year-old Bertie,
an English Pointer,

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will be heading to the country, too.

0:03:52

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We would like to be able
to have a nice large garden

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he can run around in.

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So, with Sue's own house
under offer and Charles'

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school flat kept on to accommodate
him in term time, there's

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nothing stopping this lively couple
from pursuing their rural dream.

0:04:05

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This is going to be the first
property we've purchased together,

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I think it will be very exciting.

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I think Sue will tell me what the
perfect property is and I will agree
with her.

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Sue adores the honey-coloured
hues of Cotswold stone

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and they both love
the Gloucestershire

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part of the region where the
stone houses are abundant,

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so we're concentrating our search
around the town of Cirencester.

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But before we begin our hunt
for a country home for

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Sue and Charles, I've
come to meet them

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to get a better picture of what
it is they're looking for.

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So, Sue and Charles,
welcome to the Cotswolds,

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We are finding a home for both of
you. That's correct, isn't it?

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-It's the first home you are going
to have bought together.

-It is.

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Let's hear about
this wish list, then.

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-We want a detached house.

-Yes.

-With a nice garden.

-Yes.

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A flat garden.

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-And we want it somewhere near
where we can walk the dog.

-Right.

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And a nice fireplace and, most
importantly, a nice little man cave

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that I can call my own, with a
nice sturdy lock on the door.

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I do love your honesty,
Charles. What about you, Sue?

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-Do you agree?

-Um, yes.

-What would you like?

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I could embellish.
Stone, I think is important,

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ones in the Cotswolds, and I would
stretch it from garden to land,

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I could quite see an acre,
with outbuildings.

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-So, ideally you do want
a bit of land.

-Yeah.

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We also wanted to be within
close reach of, sort of,

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a nice deli,
coffee shoppy sort of place,

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so in the morning, you know,
after a nice cooked breakfast

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I can stroll into town.

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Is there a deal-breaker
anywhere along the line?

0:05:40

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Because I'm slightly concerned
about the list of wants.

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I think that if I had to have a
painted house, rather than

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a stone house, I'd compromise there,
if everything else was correct.

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Well, I'm certainly looking forward
to the next few days,

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remind me of your budget.

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At the very top end, 550.
Something for 500 would be perfect.

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Well, I think we should finish our
tea and coffee, because weather

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might be clearing and we can
start with our first property

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Oh, brilliant.
Looking forward to it.

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Sue and Charles have a generous
budget, but they've chosen a pricey

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region and they've got some rather
exacting requirements in mind.

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They'd like a detached stone house,
with at least three bedrooms,

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so Sue's two daughters
and friends can visit.

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They want big, level grounds

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for their dog Bertie to run around,
with plenty of walking opportunities

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nearby, and they're hoping
to be close to a community,

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where Charles is looking forward
to enjoying local shops and cafes.

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We've searched the county and have
chosen three excellent properties,

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one of which could become Sue
and Charles' first joint home.

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And only after they've viewed each
house will they find out its cost.

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Our final visit will be to
the mystery house, which may be

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taking them slightly off-piste,
but will hopefully give them

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something they didn't
even know they wanted.

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We're kicking off our trip in
Gloucestershire on the eastern

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edge of the Cotswolds.

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The hamlet of Netherton, just
on the outskirts of the village

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of Quenington, is eight
miles east of Cirencester.

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Quenington displays the typical
Cotswolds stone cottages

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and dry stone walls the
region is famous for.

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It's home to a sociable
community, with great country

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walks their dog Bertie would love.

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An eight-minute drive takes
us back to Netherton.

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So, our very first property,
it's quite an unusual layout,

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-it's the property
right in the centre.

-Wow!

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-So that's a different property there
and a different property there?

-Yes.

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-Right.

-Victorian barn.

-Yes

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Dates back to about 1850, and in
1995 they were converted into

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six separate dwellings,

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-so you do have neighbours,
I think it's fair to say.

-Yes.

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-Which wasn't on the wish list.

-No.

-First impressions.

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I think it's very balanced-looking.
I love the stone,

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I like the roof tiles.

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-It's not detached...

-It's not, no.

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-..which was the number-one
thing on our list.

-Right.

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-But what do you think of the
property itself?

-It's lovely.

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Yes, I think it's all plus,
apart from that they're attached.

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Well, let's step inside

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-and see if the property itself
changes your mind.

-OK. Thank you.

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This delightful barn may
have next-door neighbours,

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but this area is one of the most
costly in the country, and even

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on our buyers' generous budget
of over half a million pounds,

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compromises have to be made to give
them the space and garden they want.

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Leading off a spacious hallway
is the first reception room.

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-Charles is smiling at me!

-Oh, that's very nice.

-Yeah?

-Yes.

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-You're not going to get excited
about a hallway, are you?

-No.

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-No.

-It is a very nice hallway.

-I like him!

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OK, let's start with
the sitting room.

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Well, it's very light,
which is very nice.

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Because you've probably gathered,
this property isn't enormous.

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It's quite a small building,
but I think they've made

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-the most of it and the ceilings
do give you much more space.

-Yes.

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-So, apart from size, I think
it's a lovely room.

-Great.

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All of the downstairs rooms lead
off from the hallway, and next

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to the sitting room is the kitchen,
also with views to the garden.

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It's nicely appointed,
it's very attractively done,

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but, in my mind, I was thinking
of, sort of, farmhouse table.

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Possibly it's not the right
sort of size for our needs.

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-I actually quite like something
quite small.

-He likes small, yeah.

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I think it's just less hassle.

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On the other side of the hallway
is a dining room at the front

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of the house and a double bedroom
and bathroom at the back.

0:09:51

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And upstairs, the rooms are in the
eaves with skylights to the

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front and back.

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So, when this barn was originally
converted, it was just

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the downstairs, and then the
owners before decided to put two

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-bedrooms upstairs, as well.

-Mm-hm.

0:10:08

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Come on! Talk to me, Sue!

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Erm... Bijou.

0:10:11

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Bijou. Good word.

0:10:14

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Very attractive, I'm looking
for more space, you know,

0:10:15

0:10:19

-a bit more elbow room.

-Yeah.

-Let's say.

-And Charles?

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What I feel is... I feel either side
I've got people there.

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0:10:27

There's no getting away from the
fact that this property isn't

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0:10:30

detached, but I'm hoping
the beautiful gardens,

0:10:30

0:10:33

which belong to this house,

0:10:33

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may change things as the outside
space is

0:10:35

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so important to Sue and Charles.

0:10:37

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-It's absolutely beautiful.

-Stunning.

-It is, yes.

-Yes.

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0:10:44

I think this is one of the most
beautifully kept gardens

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that I've seen.
So I think we've discussed

0:10:47

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everything that there is to know
about the barn, but we haven't

0:10:49

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put a price on it. So how much do
you think it is on the market for?

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I would put it on at 535.

0:10:57

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OK. Now, I might put it
a bit more. 545?

0:11:01

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The asking price for this property -

0:11:05

0:11:07

and it's only just gone on
the market -

0:11:07

0:11:10

is £445,000.

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-Oh!

-I like it a lot more!

-Wow.

-Yeah.

-Really?

-Yes.

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I am absolutely amazed and
it's a lovely surprise, actually.

0:11:18

0:11:24

This converted barn
is full of character

0:11:24

0:11:26

and comes in at £105,000
under our buyers' top budget,

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0:11:31

giving them plenty left
in the pot to play with.

0:11:31

0:11:33

It may not be detached, but it
is built from the local stone

0:11:33

0:11:37

Sue adores and has just the
number of bedrooms they want.

0:11:37

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It has superb gardens and is
close to many scenic paths

0:11:41

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perfect for walking Bertie, and it's
not too far from civilisation,

0:11:44

0:11:49

which will suit Charles
down to the ground.

0:11:49

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Right, you two, how are you feeling?

0:11:52

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Well, it is a delightful,
immaculately appointed house,

0:11:56

0:12:00

but I don't think it is going
to quite do it for us.

0:12:00

0:12:03

-Just a little bit too small?

-Just a little bit too small.

-OK.

0:12:03

0:12:06

-Well, it's only our
first property.

-Yes.

0:12:06

0:12:08

-Got more to show you.

-Brilliant.

-Thank you.

0:12:08

0:12:10

The scenic rolling landscape
of Gloucestershire lends itself

0:12:16

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to horse riding, and Newent in
the north-west of the county is

0:12:19

0:12:23

home to a national
equestrian champion.

0:12:23

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Carl Hester was brought up on the
Channel Island of Sark,

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0:12:29

which has no cars, and he's been
riding all his life.

0:12:29

0:12:33

In 2012, he was part of Team
GB's dressage team, who won

0:12:33

0:12:37

gold at the London Olympics.

0:12:37

0:12:39

I've come to his training
ground to meet him,

0:12:39

0:12:41

and his world-class horses.

0:12:41

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-So, Carl, good to see you!

-Hi,
Nicky, nice to meet you again.

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-Thanks for inviting us to
your yard.

-It's a pleasure.

0:12:47

0:12:50

I can see you're hard at work.

0:12:50

0:12:51

Yeah, well, this is what
goes on here at home,

0:12:51

0:12:53

we train the young horses here.

0:12:53

0:12:55

Dressage is a very intense sport.
It takes probably five or six years

0:12:55

0:13:00

to get the horse to
Grand Prix standard.

0:13:00

0:13:02

"Dressage" is a French
term meaning training.

0:13:02

0:13:04

It has its roots in ancient Greece

0:13:04

0:13:06

and, simply put, it's the highest
level of horse training.

0:13:06

0:13:10

Now, you mentioned Grand Prix, is
that the very top level of dressage?

0:13:10

0:13:14

Yeah, Grand Prix is
what you see at Olympics.

0:13:14

0:13:17

So, what are you
looking for, then, here?

0:13:17

0:13:19

Because it's all about the
horse with the rider, isn't it?

0:13:19

0:13:22

You couldn't put another
rider on this horse?

0:13:22

0:13:24

Yes, it's about the harmony
between the horse and rider,

0:13:24

0:13:26

that's what we're starting with.

0:13:26

0:13:28

I mean, what we're looking at here
is Amy's just teaching him to canter

0:13:28

0:13:31

when she says, to trot when she
says,

0:13:31

0:13:32

to walk, so you're not supposed to
be able to see the rider moving,

0:13:32

0:13:35

you know, it's very discreet.

0:13:35

0:13:37

You just see the horse doing
the movements and the rider's

0:13:37

0:13:39

supposed to look
like they're steering.

0:13:39

0:13:41

Almost like the perfect marriage
between horse and rider.

0:13:41

0:13:44

Well, this young horse is just at
the beginning of his dressage

0:13:44

0:13:47

career, but two of Carl's
stallions are already champions.

0:13:47

0:13:51

So, I've got some pressies,
Carl. Are we allowed?

0:13:51

0:13:54

They will be very happy
to eat those, yes.

0:13:54

0:13:56

-There we go, look at that.

-This is Utopia,

0:13:56

0:13:59

and these are the two gold medal
horses from London, Utopia, Valegro.

0:13:59

0:14:03

This one's known as Uti and
this one's known as Blueberry.

0:14:03

0:14:06

So what makes these
horses so special?

0:14:06

0:14:09

Well, they really are able to cope
with any atmosphere, they are

0:14:09

0:14:13

almost like police horses in a way
so, you know, you could actually

0:14:13

0:14:16

ride these two guys down the M25,
they have that ability to be

0:14:16

0:14:19

able to be relaxed in any situation,
like the Olympics,

0:14:19

0:14:23

like World Cup Finals, noise and a
lot of people,

0:14:23

0:14:25

and yet they have this incredible
presence

0:14:25

0:14:28

and energy when they're
needed to perform in the arena.

0:14:28

0:14:32

I feel very lucky to be in the
company of three Olympic gold medal

0:14:32

0:14:35

winners and Carl's going to give me
a dressage display on 13-year-old

0:14:35

0:14:40

Fine Time, who's the current British
Dressage National Champion.

0:14:40

0:14:44

I'll show you what a canter
pirouette should look like.

0:14:44

0:14:46

I'm going to canter him
this short so that he's

0:14:46

0:14:50

almost on the spot, and make it
smaller and smaller and I'm looking

0:14:50

0:14:54

to try and get six to eight steps
and it should be on a dinner plate.

0:14:54

0:14:58

Now, I do ride, I'm
a passionate rider,

0:14:58

0:15:02

so I can appreciate
how difficult that is.

0:15:02

0:15:06

Dressage is one thing
you can get better

0:15:06

0:15:08

and better at, so that's the
good news for you, Nicki.

0:15:08

0:15:10

There's hope for me?

0:15:10

0:15:11

You are only going to get
better with years.

0:15:11

0:15:13

I've now done five Olympics and
my best Olympics was my fifth one,

0:15:13

0:15:17

so it does show, you know,

0:15:17

0:15:19

25 years of practise,
you could also be taking

0:15:19

0:15:22

a medal home maybe at
that time, as well.

0:15:22

0:15:24

Carl, thank you for a glimpse
into the dressage world.

0:15:24

0:15:28

Travelling 28 miles west takes us
to our second house in the hamlet

0:15:37

0:15:41

of Harescomb. One and a half miles
from the village of Haresfield and

0:15:41

0:15:44

five miles south of Gloucester,

0:15:44

0:15:46

it's on the western
edge of the Cotswolds.

0:15:46

0:15:48

The pretty village of Haresfield
has a great dining pub

0:15:48

0:15:51

and fantastic views from
the Haresfield Beacon

0:15:51

0:15:54

across the valley to
the River Severn.

0:15:54

0:15:56

Back in rural Harescombe, which
sits in the valley at the foot

0:15:56

0:15:59

of the Beacon, is our second house,
a semidetached period cottage

0:15:59

0:16:03

which I'm hoping will please Sue and
Charles, despite the dreadful rain.

0:16:03

0:16:08

It might be grey,
and it might be wet,

0:16:09

0:16:12

but here is your second property.

0:16:12

0:16:14

It is semidetached,
but it's not a terrace.

0:16:14

0:16:17

For house number two,
we have gone for semidetached

0:16:17

0:16:21

-but the proportions are
much, much larger.

-Right.

0:16:21

0:16:25

Our house, the one that we're
looking at,

0:16:25

0:16:28

has been extended out the back
and is quite substantial.

0:16:28

0:16:32

I like the Cotswold stone,
so so far, so good.

0:16:32

0:16:36

Well, on that note, come on,
let's get out of the rain.

0:16:36

0:16:38

This cottage dates back to the
1800s and was built from Cotswold

0:16:40

0:16:44

stone and tiles.

0:16:44

0:16:45

Moving inside, we're starting off
our tour in the sitting room

0:16:45

0:16:48

with a wood-burning stove
as its centrepiece.

0:16:48

0:16:51

We sort of gravitate
towards the fire.

0:16:53

0:16:55

Oh, it's a nice, large
fireplace. Is it inglenook?

0:16:55

0:16:59

It is it is an inglenook. It's got
the original bressummer beam there.

0:16:59

0:17:02

Makes a really nice feature.

0:17:02

0:17:03

It's less detached
than I would've liked

0:17:03

0:17:07

and I'm still slightly
battling with that one.

0:17:07

0:17:09

-I feel, as a house, there is more I
need to do with it...

-Yes.

0:17:09

0:17:14

..I think, than house number one.

0:17:14

0:17:15

Next to the dining room in the
middle of the house is the kitchen.

0:17:15

0:17:19

So, with this kitchen, you really
are in the heart of the home,

0:17:19

0:17:22

and the way they've set it up,
you've got your dining room there

0:17:22

0:17:25

next door and it looks
out onto your garden.

0:17:25

0:17:29

If I had the money to do it, I'd
actually have it re-designed and

0:17:29

0:17:32

make it one big kitchen, so
it would be a kitchen/living area.

0:17:32

0:17:37

I do like this kitchen a lot.

0:17:37

0:17:40

Well, let's keep going through.

0:17:40

0:17:41

On the side of the property
is a recent addition -

0:17:42

0:17:45

a wood-and-glass garden room.

0:17:45

0:17:47

-And guess what?
It's got under-floor heating!

-Oh!

0:17:47

0:17:51

I love this aspect here,
looking out.

0:17:51

0:17:53

-You get to look at your gardens...

-Yeah.

-..all the way around.

0:17:53

0:17:56

-Surrounded by flowers.

-Yeah, it's beautiful.

0:17:56

0:17:58

-It's a lovely room,
it's lovely and warm.

-Yes.

0:17:58

0:18:01

-Especially on a cold day.

-Yes.

0:18:01

0:18:03

I'm not sure what to think of
Sue and Charles' reactions.

0:18:03

0:18:06

Can they see beyond the fact that
this house is not detached?

0:18:06

0:18:10

Moving to the first floor, I want to
show them the sleeping quarters.

0:18:10

0:18:14

So, upstairs, this is where the
house was extended - that was

0:18:14

0:18:18

originally the outside wall.

0:18:18

0:18:20

-Right.

-So you've got
a bedroom behind us,

0:18:20

0:18:24

a second bedroom there,

0:18:24

0:18:27

family bathroom, and then,
come on in,

0:18:27

0:18:31

because the third
bedroom is the master.

0:18:31

0:18:34

-It also has an en suite.

-Ah.

0:18:34

0:18:36

-And can we have a look at the
en suite?

-Go on, have a look.

0:18:36

0:18:39

Thank you.

0:18:39

0:18:41

Oh, it is quite big.

0:18:41

0:18:43

Oh, it's fantastic!
Yeah, it's lovely, it's very nice.

0:18:43

0:18:45

That's the happiest, Sue,
I've seen Charles all day!

0:18:45

0:18:48

He does like his en suite.

0:18:48

0:18:50

So, the bedrooms are of a good size.

0:18:50

0:18:53

I much prefer having
room around me

0:18:53

0:18:56

and I'm looking for a
house with potential.

0:18:56

0:18:58

I wouldn't say any of the house wows
me, but I think it's got potential.

0:18:58

0:19:04

Absolutely. It's got
a very strong, warm, family,

0:19:04

0:19:07

lived-in feel, which I think
is a very strong feel to it.

0:19:07

0:19:12

Sue and Charles seem to be keeping
an open mind about this house and

0:19:12

0:19:15

I wonder if the question of its cost
will help them make up their minds,

0:19:15

0:19:19

as we head back downstairs to find
out the all-important price tag.

0:19:19

0:19:23

I suggest 475.

0:19:26

0:19:29

Well, the last house was 445,
so I will say, on balance,

0:19:29

0:19:34

I will go for 474.
I'll go slightly under Sue.

0:19:34

0:19:38

OK. The asking price is £525,000.

0:19:38

0:19:43

Wow. Yes.

0:19:43

0:19:45

The owners are aware of your budget

0:19:45

0:19:47

and they are happy
to have a conversation.

0:19:47

0:19:50

This 19th-century property comes
in at £25,000 under budget

0:19:50

0:19:54

and has the local features Sue
and Charles are looking for

0:19:54

0:19:57

in their new home.

0:19:57

0:19:59

Its kitchen and dining room
offer them the option to convert

0:19:59

0:20:02

it into a space that would suit
them, and the new garden room,

0:20:02

0:20:05

with its splendid views of the
grounds,

0:20:05

0:20:07

is certainly a very attractive
feature.

0:20:07

0:20:09

Situated close to villages and
towns means this house offers Sue

0:20:09

0:20:13

and Charles a slice of country life
with access to shops and cafes.

0:20:13

0:20:19

We're remaining positive!

0:20:19

0:20:20

Absolutely. We've had a wonderful
day and I can't wait until tomorrow.

0:20:20

0:20:23

That's the spirit!

0:20:23

0:20:25

So, we've shown Sue and Charles
two of our properties here in,

0:20:31

0:20:34

well, rather rainy Gloucestershire,

0:20:34

0:20:36

but we haven't managed to find them
their perfect detached home as yet.

0:20:36

0:20:41

To be honest, we are struggling
here in the Cotswolds

0:20:41

0:20:44

with their requirements
on their budget,

0:20:44

0:20:47

but, not one to admit defeat,

0:20:47

0:20:49

we still have the
mystery house up our sleeve.

0:20:49

0:20:52

Now, this time, it is detached
and, if they can get over

0:20:52

0:20:55

their love of Cotswolds stone, we
may be in with a fighting chance.

0:20:55

0:20:59

Travelling eight miles
south is our final property

0:21:04

0:21:07

in the hamlet of Windsoredge,
on the outskirts

0:21:07

0:21:09

of the market town of Nailsworth,
13 miles west of Cirencester.

0:21:09

0:21:13

Nailsworth would be a haven for
Charles, with its quirky shops,

0:21:15

0:21:18

restaurants and that all-important
deli, and it's been voted

0:21:18

0:21:23

one of the top 101 places to live
in Britain by a Sunday broadsheet.

0:21:23

0:21:27

Five minutes' drive from
Nailsworth and perched

0:21:29

0:21:31

high above the Woodchester Valley is
our last Gloucestershire offering.

0:21:31

0:21:35

Its rendered exterior may not be the
Cotswolds stone home Sue is dreaming

0:21:35

0:21:38

of, which has afforded it the title
of our mystery house, but it is

0:21:38

0:21:42

detached and offers a great deal of
home for Sue and Charles's money.

0:21:42

0:21:46

I promise you, through this mist and
rain, the view will be worth it.

0:21:48

0:21:53

-Look at that!

-Because here...

-That's a stonker!

0:21:53

0:21:56

..is the view, and here is
your Edwardian mystery house.

0:21:56

0:22:00

-That?!

-Oh, my God!

-Oh! It's lovely!

0:22:00

0:22:03

Look, I've lost them already!
Go on! Have a little look!

0:22:03

0:22:06

That is the most beautiful thing
I've seen since

0:22:06

0:22:08

-I gaze at my wife of a morning.

-Really?!

0:22:08

0:22:10

So why is this our
mystery house, then?

0:22:10

0:22:13

Because it's really nice.

0:22:14

0:22:17

It's not Cotswold stone.

0:22:17

0:22:19

No, it isn't. Although the cottage
is rendered, the colours used

0:22:19

0:22:23

are very sympathetic.

0:22:23

0:22:25

-That's what I like, it's
sympathetically done.

-Good.

0:22:25

0:22:29

This handsome house dates
back to the early 1900s

0:22:29

0:22:32

and is laid out over three floors.

0:22:32

0:22:34

We're going straight to the
front of the property, to the

0:22:34

0:22:37

smallest of three reception rooms,
just off the entrance hallway.

0:22:37

0:22:41

Obviously, it's small, but that's
fine. It's got a lovely wood burner

0:22:41

0:22:45

-It's very pretty.

-You did want a man cave

0:22:45

0:22:47

and I've managed to ignore that in
the past two houses, haven't I?!

0:22:47

0:22:50

-Yes.

-Quite successfully.

0:22:50

0:22:52

Perhaps we need to find a
man room for you here.

0:22:52

0:22:55

-Does that sound good?

-That sounds promising!

0:22:55

0:22:57

Next to this small sitting room is
a rather impressive dining room.

0:22:57

0:23:01

-Oh! Wow!

-Wow. That's really nice!

0:23:01

0:23:04

Come on through because I want
to show you a second

0:23:04

0:23:07

sitting room/reception room.

0:23:07

0:23:10

It's really nice!

0:23:10

0:23:11

-You wanted space
with this property.

-Yes.

0:23:11

0:23:14

-You mentioned the dog sort of
dominates.

-Yes, he seems to.

0:23:14

0:23:17

Is this sort of what
you had in mind?

0:23:17

0:23:19

Yes, yes. A nice lot of room.

0:23:19

0:23:22

Behind this sitting
room is a utility room

0:23:23

0:23:25

and just behind the dining room
with windows overlooking both

0:23:25

0:23:28

sides of the grounds is the kitchen.

0:23:28

0:23:31

-Wow!

-Another large space.

-Yep.

0:23:31

0:23:34

-It's light, airy and full of joy.

-Fantastic.

0:23:34

0:23:36

So, the downstairs of this
property, how are you feeling?

0:23:36

0:23:41

-Excited, relieved!

-Are you?

-Yes!

-Not as much as me!

0:23:41

0:23:45

This mystery house may not be
built of local Cotswolds stone,

0:23:47

0:23:51

but that doesn't seem to matter as
Sue and Charles are totally smitten.

0:23:51

0:23:55

And I think they'll fall
for the first floor, too.

0:23:55

0:23:58

Just opposite the stairway
is a family bathroom,

0:23:58

0:24:01

there are four bedrooms and
to the front is the master.

0:24:01

0:24:05

So, on this floor, you've
got four bedrooms in total

0:24:05

0:24:08

and a family bathroom, but
you've got an additional bedroom

0:24:08

0:24:12

up in the loft with an
en-suite bathroom, as well.

0:24:12

0:24:16

So, instead of a man cave, perhaps,
Charles, I'm thinking man attic!

0:24:16

0:24:20

-Man palace!

-Man palace!

0:24:20

0:24:22

Fantastic!

0:24:22

0:24:24

Things couldn't have gone better
on our tour of this distinguished

0:24:24

0:24:27

house, but the garden's just
as important as the inside,

0:24:27

0:24:30

especially for Bertie, Sue and
Charles's beloved English Pointer.

0:24:30

0:24:35

Outside the grounds surround the
house and we're headed to an

0:24:35

0:24:38

elevated section with far-reaching
views across the valley.

0:24:38

0:24:42

Now, I'm not going to give
you an acre of land

0:24:42

0:24:44

because I don't have an acre
of land to give you here,

0:24:44

0:24:47

but I can give you quite a
substantial garden - fenced.

0:24:47

0:24:52

-You've got a very large
garage behind us...

-Yes.

0:24:52

0:24:54

..with plenty of storage.
So...what do we think?

0:24:54

0:24:58

-I can't find anything wrong
with it.

-Can you not?!

-No.

0:24:58

0:25:01

How much do you think
the asking price is?

0:25:01

0:25:03

Well, the top of our budget is
550,000, so I shall say 550,000.

0:25:03

0:25:10

And I think that this is such
a good house, so I think 575

0:25:10

0:25:15

and then you're going
to say it's actually 585,

0:25:15

0:25:18

but there's room for negotiation.

0:25:18

0:25:19

The asking price is £550,000.

0:25:19

0:25:22

You were spot on, Sue.

0:25:22

0:25:25

Oh, she usually is.

0:25:25

0:25:26

-So, how do you feel about that?

-Oh, it's exciting!

0:25:26

0:25:29

-I'm almost lost for words!

-Almost?

-Almost.

0:25:29

0:25:33

Bang on their upper budget,
this detached period house

0:25:35

0:25:38

goes above and beyond Sue and
Charles's expectations -

0:25:38

0:25:41

even giving them two more bedrooms
than they asked for.

0:25:41

0:25:45

It's got a safe garden,
perfect for their young dog to

0:25:45

0:25:48

run around in, and it's close to
a town with all the amenities

0:25:48

0:25:51

that are important to Charles.

0:25:51

0:25:53

It may not have the Cotswold stone
exterior Sue was hoping for,

0:25:53

0:25:57

but she's more than happy with
the sympathetically painted render.

0:25:57

0:26:02

So why don't we go somewhere quiet
and perhaps have a little drinky,

0:26:02

0:26:05

-and we can discuss what your next
move is going to be?

-Super. Thanks.

0:26:05

0:26:08

Well, Charles and
Sue, I have to say,

0:26:12

0:26:16

we've had a very
entertaining few days.

0:26:16

0:26:19

Yesterday we didn't end on a
high. We saw super properties,

0:26:19

0:26:24

but they weren't quite right
for either of you, were they?

0:26:24

0:26:26

Well, the first two houses,
as nice as they might have been,

0:26:26

0:26:31

just weren't our cup of tea.
And then when you showed us

0:26:31

0:26:35

the mystery property today,
that was such a surprise

0:26:35

0:26:39

because, by this time, I had
expected the third house to be

0:26:39

0:26:44

not to our taste. As soon
as we looked at the front of the

0:26:44

0:26:48

house, we both said, "Wow." This is
definitely got something about it.

0:26:48

0:26:55

Here we are, we're already waxing
lyrical about the mystery house.

0:26:55

0:26:58

Where do we go next
with that property?

0:26:58

0:27:00

Even though it's the top of our
budget,

0:27:00

0:27:02

there is always room for negotiation

0:27:02

0:27:03

-and we're going to put an offer in.

-You are!

-We are.

-We are, yes.

0:27:03

0:27:08

-You really have fallen in love,
haven't you?

-Yeah. It's lovely.

0:27:08

0:27:12

Well, I'm thrilled that we've been
able to help you because, of course,

0:27:12

0:27:15

this is the first house that you
will have bought together.

0:27:15

0:27:17

You have made us all
smile and chuckle,

0:27:17

0:27:19

it's been an absolute pleasure.

0:27:19

0:27:21

You are welcome to come and
stay whenever you like, Nicki.

0:27:21

0:27:23

-And I will take you up
on that offer!

-Fantastic.

0:27:23

0:27:26

-Charles, Sue, thank you so much.

-Thank you so much! Thank you.

0:27:26

0:27:29

So after a bit of a rocky start with
Charles and Sue, we eventually found

0:27:33

0:27:37

them their perfect mystery property.
As we went to say goodbye,

0:27:37

0:27:41

they were on the phone to the
estate agent, putting in an offer.

0:27:41

0:27:45

I'm thrilled for the both of them.
I'll see you next time.

0:27:45

0:27:49

If you'd like to Escape to the
Country in England,

0:27:53

0:27:56

Northern Ireland, Wales, or Scotland

0:27:56

0:27:58

and need our help,
you can apply online at...

0:27:58

0:28:02

Nicki Chapman has a challenge on her hands helping to uncover a new rural home in the Cotswolds for a couple with very exacting requirements. While in the region, Nicki rubs shoulders with three Olympic heroes.